TORONTO-A Quebec Superior Court judge has ordered Rogers Wireless and its dealers to stop making false or misleading statements against rival Microcell Telecommunications.
The order, a temporary injunction in force until 14 November, follows a court application filed by Microcell last Thursday. It accuses Rogers of predatory marketing practices, including statements made by sales agents that Microcell is going bankrupt or will soon be purchased by Rogers.
The issue stems back to July, when Microcell customers began receiving unsolicited telephone and mobile text-messaging pitches from Rogers sales agents. Microcell alleged these agents intentionally fed customers wrong information to win their business.
Heather Armstrong, a spokesperson for Rogers Wireless, said the company has engaged in respectful competition for 17 years, and the problem is isolated and has been dealt with.
Microcell, which had 1.2 million customers as of its last quarter, is carrying C$2.1 billion (US$1.4 billion) in debt. In August, the carrier said it was uncertain it could meet its debt obligations and that it had retained a financial adviser and formed a special board committee to review its options.
